Small Wind Turbines boosts in-house energy production

While large wind mills that are installed in clusters at wind farms produce energy on a massive scale, small wind turbines produce energy at lower levels. Unlike large wind turbines, this technology helps produce wind energy in the low to medium paced wind conditions and is developed to promote in-house energy production among households, farms and small businesses.

Wind energy has long been exploited as a significant alternative source of power generation in the country through large wind mills. But, they require high speed winds to produce electricity. In this scenario, small wind turbines technology has surfaced as a remarkable development in the wind energy sector as it generates power in low and medium paced wind. This technology, therefore, is ideal for country like India where majority of regions have low to medium paced winds.

Small Wind Turbines (SWT), though in its infancy stage, is set to evolve and grow large as it taps full potential of wind in generating sustainable, economical and environment friendly electricity. Also known as Vertical Axis Aero Generators, they generate clean and emission-free electricity enough to meet the power requirements of households, farms, schools, hospitals and small businesses. Moreover, it is also ideal for rural and remote areas where there is no electricity or the need for power is not so high.

Small turbines can produce up to 100 KW of electricity and are primarily designed for residential, institutional and commercial applications having energy requirements under this limit. The technology is gradually gaining popularity among people as they can generate their own power in-house reducing their electricity needs from conventional sources and thus bringing down their energy bills. Moreover, it helps reduce carbon footprint in the atmosphere with decreased dependence on conventional energy sources that use fossil-fuel and petroleum to generate power.

Small wind power systems come in various sizes that range from 20 W to 15 KW with a capacity to generate power ranging from 400 W to 15 KW. For example, a 20 W turbine can generate around 400 watts of electricity which can be used to charge batteries. 3-15 KW turbines can produce power enough to meet energy requirement of a home. While, a small commercial setup with higher energy requirements may need turbines with higher capacity that can generate around 100 KW of electricity. Indo German Energy, which has introduced various wind turbine models (1, 2.5, 5 and 10 KW) are among the few manufacturers in the country to also produce small wind turbines with higher capacity of up to 50 KW.

According to the industry experts, the market for small wind turbines shall see manifold growth in the decade to come. And, India shall lead the growth story by leading the world in production of small wind turbines.